Fourth arrest made, two more sought in downtown burglaries

By Teddy Kulmala

The Aiken Department of Public Safety has arrested a fourth person and is seeking two more people in connection with a string of nighttime burglaries that happened in the downtown area last month.

Brandon Micki Crawford, 27, was arrested by officers at his home on Wednesday, according to Cpl. Jeremy Hembree. He was charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree burglary for his involvement in selling property that was stolen during the burglaries on Jan. 8.

Investigators are also asking for the community’s help in locating 29-year-old Neteaya Lachane Williams and 29-year-old Gerren Lamar Amiker, both of Aiken, according to Hembree. Williams and Amiker are wanted for accessory after the fact to first-degree burglary for their involvement in selling property from the downtown burglaries.

Investigators believe Williams and Amiker may be together, Hembree said. They are continuing to follow several leads and expect to make more arrests related to the burglaries.

The burglaries, which happened during the early hours of Jan. 8, sent shockwaves through the city of Aiken.

Authorities first responded to a burglar alarm at a home on Newberry Street about 3:30 a.m. on Jan. 8 and saw a man fleeing on foot. While setting up a perimeter in the area, officers discovered that other homes nearby had been broken into.

The suspects had burglarized four homes – all of which were occupied by residents sleeping in other areas of the home – and 12 vehicles, police have said. At each location, the suspect reportedly entered the home through an unlocked or unsecured door.

A resident called 911 a short time later and said a subject was inside her home on the 200 block of Lancaster Street. The caller said the subject fled on foot.

An additional search perimeter was set up, and the Aiken County Bloodhound Tracking Team and a helicopter from the S.C. State Law Enforcement Division were brought in to assist in the search.

Tremayne Deshawn Crawford, 22, was detained on Jan. 9 and charged with first-degree burglary. He also had outstanding warrants for the Sheriff’s Office.

Demarques Tremall Jamison, 20, of Aiken, turned himself in to officers on Jan. 11 and was charged with criminal conspiracy and accessory after the fact. He is also charged with grand larceny, simple possession of marijuana, breach of trust with fraudulent intent and receiving stolen goods.

Willie Maurice Franklin, 23, of Aiken, was arrested Jan. 14 and charged with trespassing after notice, criminal conspiracy and accessory after the fact. He faces additional charges of threatening a public official and violation of probation.

All four men remained in the Aiken County detention center on Thursday afternoon.

Anyone with further information related to this incident or the whereabouts of Williams or Amiker is asked to contact CrimeStoppers of the Midlands at (888) CRIME-SC.

Callers will remain anonymous and could be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $1,000.

Teddy Kulmala covers the crime beat for the Aiken Standard. He is a graduate of Clemson University and hails from Williston.

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